Sports Merchandise Planner

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Employee discount on sports merch

Professional development and training

On-site role in Kimberley

Job summary

Placements24 partners with a leading Leisure & Sports brand in Kimberley, Northern Cape, seeking a Sports Merchandise Planner to forecast demand and plan inventory for multiple retail channels.

You will collaborate closely with sales, marketing and supply chain teams to develop effective merchandise plans that support profitability and customer satisfaction. This is an on-site role anchored in Kimberley.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, or related field.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and planning software.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across departments.
• Detail-oriented with accuracy in reporting and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive merchandise plans based on sales data, market trends, and seasonal forecasts.
• Analyze sales performance and inventory levels to identify opportunities for optimization and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with buying and sourcing teams to ensure timely procurement of merchandise.
• Manage product assortment and allocation across different sales channels.
• Monitor competitor activities and market trends to inform merchandising strategies.
• Prepare regular reports on sales performance, inventory turnover, and key merchandising metrics.
• Work with marketing teams to align merchandise plans with promotional activities and campaigns.
• Optimize stock levels to minimize overstock and stockouts.
• Conduct regular product line reviews and provide recommendations for future collections.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel

Planning software

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Supply Chain Management, or a related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading brand in the Leisure & Sports apparel and equipment sector, is seeking a strategic Sports Merchandise Planner to join their team in Kimberley, Northern Cape. This role is vital in forecasting demand, planning inventory levels, and ensuring the optimal availability of products to meet customer needs across various retail channels. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a keen understanding of market trends, and a passion for sports merchandise. You will work closely with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to develop effective merchandise plans that drive profitability and customer satisfaction. This is a critical on-site role supporting our client's retail operations in Kimberley.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive merchandise plans based on sales data, market trends, and seasonal forecasts.
• Analyze sales performance and inventory levels to identify opportunities for optimization and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with the buying and sourcing teams to ensure timely procurement of merchandise.
• Manage product assortment and allocation across different sales channels (e.g., retail stores, e-commerce).
• Monitor competitor activities and market trends to inform merchandise strategies.
• Prepare regular reports on sales performance, inventory turnover, and key merchandising metrics.
• Work with marketing teams to align merchandise plans with promotional activities and campaigns.
• Optimize stock levels to minimize overstock and stockout situations.
• Conduct regular product line reviews and provide recommendations for future collections.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or a related retail planning role.
• Proven experience in demand forecasting and inventory control.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency in Excel and planning software.
• Excellent understanding of retail operations and the sports merchandise market.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in reporting and analysis.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be based in or willing to commute to Kimberley, Northern Cape.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Significant employee discount on sports merchandise.
• Opportunity to influence product strategy for a leading sports brand.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Be part of a dynamic and growing retail environment in Kimberley.
• Work within the exciting Leisure & Sports industry.